Oldest Fast Food Chains in The World: History, Facts, and More!

Although "fast food" has existed in various cultures for quite some time, the contemporary notion of fast food originated in the United States in the early twentieth century. These forerunners of the fast food industry were among the first to insist on uniformity throughout their franchises. This was done so that customers could expect the same quality from any location. Did you know that a lot of these fast food places were the first to implement things like two-way intercom ordering systems? Read on to learn more about these global behemoths.

Oldest Fast Food Chains in The World:

• White Castle
• A&W
• Dairy Queen
• Waffle House
• Pizza Hut
• IHOP
• Domino's
• Burger King
• Dunkin' Donuts
• In-N-Out
• McDonald's
• Jack in the Box
• KFC
• Sonic
• Denny's
• Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs

What Is the Oldest Fast Food Restaurant?

Many scholars agree that the American chain White Castle, which started in 1916 as a collection of food stands in Wichita, Kansas, and was formally established in 1921, was the first fast food restaurant.

A&W

Created on June 20, 1919, by Roy W. Allen and Frank Wright. Allen obtained his root beer formula from a pharmacy and decided to start selling it. They first franchised their business in 1925 and ever since then, about 1,100+ locations opened, with the home base in Bluegrass State's Lexington, Kentucky

On June 20, 1919, in Lodi, California, Roy W. Allen opened the first A&W with a stand selling root beer. On a hot July day, there was a city-wide party celebrating the homecoming of local World War I veterans. Their stand quickly became popular.

Two years after the initial success of Allen's root beer stands, Allen collaborated with former employee Frank Wright to create more of the same. It was during this period that Allen and Wright came up with the name A&W, an anagram of their initials.

Allen and Wright started selling A&W franchises in 1925 as their business flourished and as a result, A&W may claim to be the longest-running fast food franchise in the world.

Over time, A&W added staples to its fast food menu. They included items such as burgers, hot dogs, and cheese curds.

Canada's first A&W restaurant outside of the United States opened in 1956 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. All across the world, you can find this famous chain of restaurants.

White Castle

The company was started by Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson on September 13, 1921, and it started as a root beer stand. There has been no franchising thus far; all locations are owned by the parent corporation. The corporate headquarters are located in Columbus, Ohio.

Anderson had expertise in running burger joints. However, when he and Ingram started White Castle, Americans were less obsessed with the food than they are now. Burgers were considered unhealthy and unpleasant by many people. Anderson and Ingram wanted to change the public's perception of White Castle, so they made sure the first one they opened was spotless. Additionally, they made sure that their staff looked professional at all times.

By grinding the beef in front of the customers, Anderson and Ingram added a creative element as well. After implementing all of their ideas, White Castle quickly expanded throughout the region.

White Castle has never been franchised, therefore it remains a relatively small chain compared to the others on this list.

Dairy Queen

In 1940, a Dairy Queen was established in Joliet, Illinois.

Two hours into sales on the first day, they had already moved over 1600 servings of ice cream and because of their achievements, they were able to become global.

Currently, they have locations in over 20 countries. This includes the US, Canada, and many others.

DQ started out selling only soft-serve ice cream and related snacks. Burgers and sandwiches were once all they served, but they've now added chicken fingers, salads, and even sides to their menu.

Waffle House

Avondale Estates, Georgia was the site of the original Waffle House. They debuted in 1955.

They planned to open a sit-down eatery that served food as quickly as fast food joints but was open 24/7.

While the majority of Waffle Houses are still located in Georgia, the restaurant chain can now be found in 24 additional states.

The Waffle House serves breakfast around the clock. However, they also provide burgers, sandwiches, meat dinners, and pies.

Pizza Hut

Two brothers in Wichita, Kansas had a great idea and borrowed $600 from their mother. They used this to open the first Pizza Hut in 1958.

In addition to its stores in all fifty-two U.S. states and three U.S. territories, Pizza Hut also operates in one hundred other nations across the world.

While pizza remains Pizza Hut's bread and butter, the company has diversified into other food categories such as spaghetti, chicken wings, and even Cinnabon cinnamon rolls and other desserts.

The crust is what really sets apart Pizza Hut pizza. Their superior individual pan pizzas are airy, yeasty, and buttery perfection.

Many of their regulars are disappointed by a 2019 alteration to the original pan pizza recipe. It's true that the latest update is still rather nice, though.

IHOP

The first IHOP restaurant debuted in 1958 in Los Angeles, California.

They're just like any other 24-hour fast-food restaurant open after the rest of the world has gone to bed. IHOPs can be found in all 50 states in the United States and in 10 other countries.

IHOP is known for its pancakes and other breakfast items. However, they also provide burgers, chicken sandwiches, sandwiches, burritos, bowls, appetizers, salads, main courses, homestyle sides, and milkshakes. Gluten-free options are also available!

If you're in the mood for something different, you can choose between buttermilk pancakes and a side salad.

Domino's

Domino's Pizza began in 1960, when two brothers named Domi and Nick DeLuca purchased a tiny pizzeria in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and renamed it Domino's.

The chain has expanded to become one of the most well-known in the industry, with locations in 25 states in the United States and 90 countries around the world.

Domino's also offers pasta, salads, chicken wings, sub sandwiches, bread, oven-baked dips, and desserts in addition to their famous pizza. Their pizza crust is seasoned with garlic and topped with butter, and it's delicious.

Burger King

In 1953, in Jacksonville, Florida, what is now known as Burger King was founded as Insta-Burger King.

The original name was Burger King, but the company ran into financial difficulties in 1954, leading to its sale to the current owners currently, they are present in 100 countries and all but five U.S. states and territories.

The aroma of Burger King's flame-grilled burgers is enough to make anyone want to make a U-turn. Burgers aren't the only thing on the menu; you can also have chicken or fish sandwiches, as well as salads, fries, sweets, and even breakfast.

Their vegetarian Impossible burger has also been very successful.

Dunkin' Donuts

The original Dunkin' Donuts business, serving coffee and pastries, opened in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts but in the present day, Dunkin' Donuts has over 3 million daily customers.

It's one of the largest coffee and donut chains in the world. Currently, they have stores in 42 countries.

Besides espresso, coffee, or tea, they also serve donuts, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, muffins, and a few more treats are also available.

In-N-Out

Baldwin Park, California was the birthplace of In-N-Out Burger in 1948 although it's a chain, they've decided against franchises and an IPO.

Currently, In-N-Out is only available in seven states, but that number may soon increase. Many folks have only heard of the In-N-Out experience through word of mouth from other fans.

The secret to their success lies in their ingredients. In-N-Out Burger is famous for its commitment to using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients without any fillers, preservatives, or additions.

Only burgers, grilled cheese, fries, soft drinks, and shakes are offered.

Get your burger "animal style," and sure, you should order from their "not so hidden menu." For me, it's the burger's grilled onions and pork patties that really set it over the top.

McDonald's

A drive-through McDonald's restaurant debuted in San Bernardino, California, in 1940 but they didn't turn it into a fast food restaurant with the now-familiar golden arches and hamburgers until 1953.

Since it now serves over 69 million customers per day in 100+ countries, McDonald's generates the greatest income of any restaurant brand.

Burgers, French fries, and milkshakes made McDonald's famous. Sandwiches made with fish and chicken are available, as are nuggets, salads, coffee, and breakfast items.

Jack in the Box

In 1951, San Diego, California was the site of the first Jack in the Box fast food restaurant.

The majority of their franchisees are found on the West Coast. However, you can find them in 21 major U.S. cities. Guam also has one.

Jack in the Box serves American fast food staples like burgers and chicken sandwiches as well as more exotic options like egg rolls and tacos.

Their late-night menu features franken-sandwiches, tacos, and sides, and it's just as chaotic as their breakfast menu.

KFC

Around 1930s, Colonel Sanders opened a little stand on a highway in Corbin, Kentucky, serving the original Kentucky Fried Chicken.

KFC is the second most profitable restaurant chain in the world behind McDonald's, with locations in 145+ countries.

KFC's 11 secret herbs and spices give their fried chicken its signature flavor, and the company's homestyle sides are also quite well-known. Vegetarians can now choose from Beyond Fried Chicken.

As a self-proclaimed expert on the subject, I can say with confidence that KFC is the best fried chicken I've ever had, edging out only my dad's and a handful of mom-and-pop joints.

Sonic

In 1953, Sonic built its first drive-in restaurant in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Carhops would skate to your table, and there would be revolutionary curbside speakers. Although the days of roller-skating carhops at Sonic have passed, the fast food chain may now be found in 46 of the 50 states in the USA.

It's still a drive-through eatery, however, some locations also offer patio dining and takeout.

Famous for its burgers and limitless soft drink options, Sonic has become a fast food institution, serving chicken wings, chicken poppers, hotdogs, chicken sandwiches and sliders, grilled cheese, all-day breakfast, ice cream, and sides.

Denny's

In 1953, in Lakewood, California, Denny's debuted as Denny's Donuts, a 24-hour coffee business because the bulk of modern restaurant franchises stipulates that the eatery be available at all hours.

Many can be found near highway off-ramps, making them convenient for hungry motorists.

Except for Delaware, you may find a Denny's wherever you travel in the United States. There are Denny's restaurants in 13 additional nations.

Denny's is well-known for its all-day breakfast and lunch/dinner menu, which includes traditional diner fare including burgers, salads, and milkshakes.